Bedding covers and bedding cover systems
Bedding covers for selectively covering an insulated bedding item. The bedding covers include a cover member, a flap member, and a cover fastener. The cover member is complementarily configured with the length and the width of the insulated bedding item. The cover member has a cover top edge having a cover width at least as wide as the width of the insulated bedding item. The flap member is coupled to the cover member along the cover top edge. The cover fastener is configured to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item and is disposed on either the cover member or the flap member. The cover member and the flap member collectively define a flap configured to receive a portion of the insulated bedding item. The cover fastener and the flap cooperate to secure the insulated bedding item within the flap.
The present disclosure relates generally to bedding covers and bedding cover systems. In particular, bedding covers for covering insulated bedding items and bedding cover systems including a bedding cover and an insulated bedding item are described.
Bedding items, including sheets, blankets, duvets, and duvet covers, are used by people almost every day. In addition to personal use of bedding items in one's home, the hospitality industry, including resorts, hotels, and individuals renting their private property on a short term basis, makes regular use of bedding items for guests. Individuals in their own homes and guests at rented rooms expect bedding items to be clean and comfortable.
Duvets, blankets, and comforters, collectively referred to here as insulated bedding items, are popular types of bedding items. However, insulated bedding items can be a challenge to clean given their size and bulk. The challenges present with cleaning insulated bedding items lead to them not being cleaned sufficiently often, which can create unhygienic conditions.
Conventional duvet covers are designed to be removed from insulated bedding items for cleaning. While duvet covers are easier to clean than the insulated bedding items they cover, inserting and removing insulated bedding items to and from duvet covers is awkward and difficult. The difficulties that exist with using conventional duvet covers results in the duvet covers not being washed sufficiently often.
Thus, there exists a need for bedding covers and bedding cover systems that improve upon and advance the design of known duvet covers and bedding systems. Examples of new and useful bedding covers and bedding cover systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to bedding covers for selectively covering an insulated bedding item. The bedding covers include a cover member, a flap member, and a cover fastener. The cover member is complementarily configured with the length and the width of the insulated bedding item. The cover member has a cover top edge having a cover width at least as wide as the width of the insulated bedding item. The flap member is coupled to the cover member along the cover top edge. The cover fastener is configured to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item and is disposed on either the cover member or the flap member. The cover member and the flap member collectively define a flap configured to receive a portion of the insulated bedding item. The cover fastener and the flap cooperate to secure the insulated bedding item within the flap.
The disclosed bedding covers and bedding cover systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various bedding covers and bedding cover systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
DefinitionsThe following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.
Contextual Details
The features of items used in conjunction with the bedding covers and bedding cover systems described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the bedding covers and bedding cover systems.
Insulated Bedding Item
The bedding covers described below are configured to cover an insulated bedding item. In the present document, an insulated bedding item may be any bedding item configured to overlie a mattress and that may benefit from being covered to facilitate cleaning. Common examples of insulated bedding items include duvets, blankets, and comforters. The insulated bedding item may be any currently known or later developed style of bedding item designed to overlie a mattress.
In
Insulated bedding item 102 extends from a bedding top edge 127 to a bedding bottom edge 128 and between bedding lateral edges 129. As shown in
In the example shown in
The bedding fasteners are aligned with and complementarily configured with fasteners included in the bedding covers discussed below, including a first cover fastener 110, a second cover fastener 120, a third cover fastener 122, and cover bottom edge fastener 130. In particular, bedding top edge fasteners 131 are aligned with and complementarily configured with first cover fastener 110, a second cover fastener 120, a third cover fastener 122 and bedding bottom edge fasteners 132 are aligned with and complementarily configured with cover bottom edge fasteners 130.
The bedding covers described in this application do not require fasteners in the cover or in the insulated bedding item, but some examples include them to secure the insulated bedding item to the cover for convenience. In some examples, neither the insulated bedding item nor the bedding covers include fasteners. In certain examples, the bedding cover includes fasteners, such as ties configured to tie around corners of the insulated bedding item, and the insulated bedding item does not include fasteners.
In examples where fasteners are utilized, different numbers of bedding fasteners and cover fasteners are provided than shown in the present example. For example, the insulated bedding item and/or the bedding cover may include a single fastener, two fasteners, three fasteners, four fasteners, or five or more fasteners. In some examples, a long, continuous fastener, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, runs along a majority of the bedding top edge.
Bedding Cover
With reference to the figures, various bedding cover examples will now be described. The bedding covers discussed herein function to cover an insulated bedding item and to facilitate regular cleaning. In particular, the bedding covers described in this document are configured to be quickly and conveniently installed over insulated bedding items and to be quickly and easily removed from the insulated bedding item for cleaning. The ready and convenient manner in which the present bedding covers may be installed, removed, and cleaned effectively address the shortcomings of conventional duvet covers.
Bedding Cover Embodiment OneWith reference to
A bedding cover system 101 includes bedding cover 100 and insulated bedding item 102. The bedding cover systems contemplated in this document include the specific bedding covers and insulated bedding items described as well as bedding covers and insulated bedding items with additional or alternative features.
Cover Member
As can be seen in
Cover member 104 and flap member 108 are comprised of a washable fabric material to facilitate washing bedding cover 100. The washable fabric material may be any currently known or later developed fabric suitable for bedding applications and washing, including materials comprised of cotton, wool, flannel, silk, satin, linen, synthetics, or combinations thereof. In the present example, cover member 104 and flap member 108 are comprised of the same material, but may be different materials in other examples. With brief reference to a third embodiment of a bedding cover, bedding cover 300 shown in
Flap Member
In the example shown in
In the present example, as shown most clearly in
As shown in
Cover Fasteners
Cover fasteners 110, 120, 122, and 130 are configured to secure insulated bedding item 102 to cover member 104. As shown in
The number and location of the cover fasteners will vary between different examples, with some examples including a single cover fastener and other examples including more cover fasteners than depicted in the figures. The cover fasteners may be disposed on either the cover member or the flap member or both the cover member and the flap member. In some example, the cover fasteners are located exclusively at a top edge of the cover or exclusively at the bottom edge. In some examples, such as with bedding cover 400 shown in
In the example shown in
With reference to
Turning attention to
As can be seen in
With reference to
As can be seen in
Turning attention to
As can be seen in
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
Claims
1. A bedding cover for selectively covering an insulated bedding item having a length and a width, the bedding cover comprising:
- a cover member complementarily configured with the length and the width of the insulated bedding item, the cover member having a cover top edge having a cover width at least as wide as the width of the insulated bedding item;
- a flap member coupled to the cover member along the cover top edge;
- wherein: a top portion of the cover member overlying and in contact with a top surface of an upper portion of the insulated bedding item and the flap member underneath and in contact with a lower surface of the upper portion of the insulated bedding item collectively define a flap configured to receive the upper portion of the insulated bedding item that is proximate to a head of a bed;
- a first cover fastener disposed on one of the cover member or the flap member proximate to the cover top edge of the cover member, wherein the first cover fastener is proximate to a corresponding first insulated bedding item fastener disposed proximate to a first top corner of the insulated bedding item, wherein the first cover fastener is configured to fasten with the first insulated bedding item fastener to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item; and
- a second cover fastener disposed on one of the cover member or the flap member proximate to the cover top edge of the cover member, wherein the second cover fastener is proximate to a corresponding second insulated bedding item fastener disposed proximate to the second top corner of the insulated bedding item, wherein the second top corner of the insulated bedding item in on an opposing side of the first too corner of the insulated bedding item, and wherein the second cover fastener is configured to fasten with the second bedding item top edge fastener to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item, and
- wherein the first cover fastener, the second cover fastener, and the flap defined by the top portion of the cover member and the flap member cooperate to secure the upper portion of the insulated bedding item within the flap.
2. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the insulated bedding item is one of a duvet, a comforter, and a blanket.
3. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the cover member and the flap member are comprised of a washable fabric material.
4. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the first cover fastener and the second cover fastener are disposed on the cover member between the cover member and the flap member proximate the cover top edge.
5. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flap member is secured to a corresponding portion of the cover member along lateral edges of the cover member proximate the cover top edge to define a pocket.
6. The bedding cover of claim 5, wherein the portion of the flap member is secured to the corresponding portion of the cover member using a plurality of third cover fasteners.
7. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the flap member is coupled to the cover member exclusively along the cover top edge.
8. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the cover member and the flap member are integrally connected from of a common fabric material.
9. The bedding cover of claim 1, wherein the flap member extends from the cover top edge of the cover member towards a cover bottom edge of the cover member opposite the cover top edge and terminates a distance less than half the length between the cover top edge and the cover bottom edge.
10. The bedding cover of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third cover fastener laterally spaced between the first cover fastener and the second cover fastener,
- wherein the third cover fastener is disposed on one of the cover member or the flap member proximate to the cover too edge of the cover member when the insulated bedding item is one of a duvet, a comforter, and a blanket.
11. The bedding cover of claim 10, wherein the third cover fastener is disposed proximate a lateral middle position of the flap.
12. The bedding cover of claim 1, further comprising the insulated bedding item to define a bedding cover system.
13. The bedding cover system of claim 12, wherein the insulated bedding item includes a plurality of bedding fastener complementarily configured with a plurality of cover fasteners.
14. The bedding cover system of claim 13, wherein:
- the cover member includes a cover bottom edge opposite the cover top edge;
- the insulated bedding item includes a bedding bottom edge underlying the cover bottom edge when the cover member overlies the insulated bedding item; and
- the bedding cover further comprises a cover bottom edge fastener secured to the cover member proximate the cover bottom edge, the cover bottom edge fastener being configured to secure the bedding bottom edge to the cover member.
15. The bedding cover system of claim 14, wherein the insulated bedding item further comprises a bedding bottom edge fastener aligned with and complementarily configured with the cover bottom edge fastener.
16. A bedding cover system, comprising:
- an insulated bedding item including a bedding fastener disposed proximate a bedding top edge, the insulated bedding item having a length and a width; and
- a bedding cover including: a cover member complementarily configured with the length and the width of the insulated bedding item and configured to overlie the insulated bedding item, the cover member having: a cover top edge complementing the width of the insulated bedding item and overlying the bedding top edge; and a flap member coupled to the cover member along the cover top edge; a first cover fastener disposed on one of the cover member or the flap member proximate to the cover top edge of the cover member, wherein the first cover fastener is proximate to a corresponding first insulated bedding item fastener disposed proximate to a first top corner of the insulated bedding item, and wherein the first cover fastener is configured to fasten with the first insulated bedding item fastener to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item; and a second cover fastener disposed on one of the cover member or the flap member proximate to the cover too edge of the cover member, wherein the second cover fastener is proximate to a corresponding second insulated bedding item fastener disposed proximate to the second top corner of the insulated bedding item, wherein the second top corner of the insulated bedding item in on an opposing side of the first top corner of the insulated bedding item, and wherein the second cover fastener is configured to fasten with the second bedding item top edge fastener to secure the cover member to the insulated bedding item;
- wherein a top portion of the cover member overlying and in contact with a top surface of an upper portion of the insulated bedding item and the flap member underneath and in contact with a lower surface of the upper portion of the insulated bedding item collectively define a flap configured to receive the upper portion of the insulated bedding item that is proximate to a head of a bed; and
- wherein the first bedding item fastener, the second bedding item fastener, the first cover fastener, the second cover fastener, and the flap defined by the top portion of the cover member and the flap member cooperate to secure the upper portion of the insulated bedding item within the flap.
17. The bedding cover system of claim 16, wherein the first cover fastener and the second cover fastener are disposed on the cover member between the cover member and the flap member proximate the cover top edge.
18. The bedding cover system of claim 17, wherein the cover member and the flap member are comprised of a washable fabric material.
19. The bedding cover system of claim 18, wherein the insulated bedding item is one of a duvet, a comforter, and a blanket.
20030233706 | December 25, 2003 | Birch |
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 17, 2019
Date of Patent: Mar 23, 2021
Inventor: Alia Breon (Portland, OR)
Primary Examiner: Fredrick C Conley
Application Number: 16/655,729
International Classification: A47G 9/00 (20060101); A47G 9/02 (20060101);